Clinical pathway:

It is recommended that the BCCH Clinical Pathway be followed and the recommendations for empiric antibiotic use be implemented. (CAVEAT: Individual Hospital Infection Control Policy may dictate other treatment based on their own antibiotic sensitivity profile).

The treating pediatric oncologist (after hours, the oncologist on call) should be notified when a child on active anticancer therapy develops a fever and neutropenia.

All children with central lines require blood cultures with new febrile episodes. If patient is clinically
well, caregivers are reliable, and there are no focal infections requiring treatment, empiric antibiotic
therapy is not required.

A significant contribution to the successful treatment of children with cancer and blood disorders comes from adopting a multi disciplinary team approach to patient care.? ?? ?One of the pediatric oncologists/hematologists is the primary physician responsible for directing the care of the child. This oncologist along with a nurse clinician and a social worker form the primary care team which liaises with the local community health care professionals.

As new therapies are employed, our knowledge concerning the risks or recurrence and late effects of cancer and its treatment is changing. We have developed disease-specific long-term follow-up guidelines. These guidelines can be modified on an individual basis to provide optimum care for survivors.